You already know the numbers one to ten and the pattern for counting objects. Now you need to say them out loud in real situations. This workshop gives you three short role-plays where you count apples, fingers, and other everyday items. You will practise asking how many, answering with a number and the general measure word 个 (ge), and handling a follow-up question. The focus is on speaking clearly and using the right pattern, not on memorising new grammar. Use the source phrases and dialogue as your model, and say your answers out loud.
Warm up your mouth with the numbers
Before you start the role-plays, say the numbers one to ten out loud three times. Use the source list: 一、二、三、四、五 (yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ) and 六、七、八、九、十 (liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí). Pay attention to the tones shown in the source. You do not need to be perfect, but clear tones help listeners understand whether you mean four or ten. Then practise the source question 几个？ (jǐ ge?) and the source answer 我有五个 (wǒ yǒu wǔ ge). Say them slowly, then at normal speed. This warm-up prepares your mouth for the counting pattern you will use in the exercises. Keep the general measure word 个 (ge) ready because the source presents it as the most common measure word for many everyday objects.
When the other person changes the object
In a real conversation, someone might ask about apples and then suddenly ask about fingers. You need to switch the noun but keep the same counting pattern. The hard part is not the number but remembering to keep the measure word 个 (ge) and the noun in the right order. If you forget the noun, you can still use the source phrase 我有五个 (wǒ yǒu wǔ ge), which omits the noun when the object is clear from the question. Practise switching between two objects without pausing too long. If you need a moment, you can repeat the question back to yourself quietly before answering. Use the source dialogue as your model: 你有几个苹果？ (nǐ yǒu jǐ ge píngguǒ?) and 我有三个苹果。 (wǒ yǒu sān ge píngguǒ).
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
一、二、三、四、五
one, two, three, four, five
yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ
六、七、八、九、十
six, seven, eight, nine, ten
liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí
几个？
How many?
jǐ ge?
三个苹果。
three apples
sān ge píngguǒ
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你有几个苹果？
How many apples do you have?我有三个苹果。
I have three apples.你有几个手指？
How many fingers do you have?我有十个手指。
I have ten fingers.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Counting apples at a fruit stand
You are at a small fruit stand. The seller, Mei, points to a pile of apples and asks you how many apples you have in your bag. You actually have three apples.
Your task: Answer Mei's question out loud. Say that you have three apples, using the number, the general measure word 个 (ge), and the noun for apple. Use the source pattern: 我有三个苹果。 (wǒ yǒu sān ge píngguǒ). Then ask Mei how many apples she has, using the source question 你有几个苹果？ (nǐ yǒu jǐ ge píngguǒ?).
A friend changes the object mid-conversation
Your friend Li is helping you practise counting. First, Li asks how many apples you have. You answer that you have three. Then Li suddenly asks how many fingers you have.
Your task: Answer the first question about apples. Then answer the second question about fingers. Use the number ten for fingers. Keep the same counting pattern for both answers. Use the source dialogue: 你有几个苹果？ (nǐ yǒu jǐ ge píngguǒ?) and 我有三个苹果。 (wǒ yǒu sān ge píngguǒ), then 你有几个手指？ (nǐ yǒu jǐ ge shǒuzhǐ?) and 我有十个手指。 (wǒ yǒu shí ge shǒuzhǐ).
Correcting a wrong count at a shop
You are at a shop buying apples. The shopkeeper, Chen, counts five apples and says you have five. But you actually have three apples. You need to correct Chen politely.
Your task: Tell Chen that you have three apples, not five. Use the number three, the measure word 个 (ge), and the noun for apple. Use the source phrase 我有三个苹果。 (wǒ yǒu sān ge píngguǒ). Then ask Chen how many apples Chen has, using 你有几个苹果？ (nǐ yǒu jǐ ge píngguǒ?).
Common questions
Do I always have to use the general measure word 个 (ge) when counting?
For this lesson, yes. The source presents 个 (ge) as the most common measure word and a safe default for many everyday objects. Some nouns have specific measure words, but you can stick with 个 (ge) for now.
What if I forget the noun in my answer?
If the object is clear from the question, you can use the source phrase 我有五个 (wǒ yǒu wǔ ge), which omits the noun. The source shows that the noun can be omitted when it is clear from context.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: counting 1 to 10Checked September 2026
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